Well its reached that time of the year where we all look back at what we've done this year, and assess whether its been a good one or a bad one. A lot of the stuff I've seen on social networking sights, and a lot of discussions I've had with people seem to indicate that this has not been the best year for a lot of people. There are a few people that have had good, and even fantastic years. But the overwhelming majority of feeling seems to be that people will be glad to see the back of 2011. I'm afraid to say, on some level I am one of those people.
2011 has had some incredible high points for me, and I have made some memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. There have also been some points in the year which have been so terribly low, and incredibly sad that they will also never be forgotten, these are the reasons I will not be sorry to see the back of this year. Some of the things that have happened have changed the lives of people I love for ever, and not for the better.
January started on a very sad note. H was fading fast and was at the wonderful hospice in Penarth, doctors said he was too ill to undergo any of the treatment that they could give him, so he was kept comfortable, and sadly lost his battle on 14th January, surrounded by his family. The world lost an amazing character that day, our family lost one of its brightest stars, and our lives will never quite be the same. He had a huge heart, was one of life's adventurers and a true gentleman. H, you will never be forgotten, and as long as B walks this earth, there will always be a part of you still with us. Not a week goes by when I don't think of H, and have a little smile to myself at some of my memories of him. I have often thought this year of how this time last year H was still well, running a marathon etc, and eventually just that this time last year he was still with us. I'll no longer have that luxury in a few weeks, but will think of him none the less, and I will raise a glass to him at midnight tonight and send a Chinese lantern upwards to take him all our love.
January also added a new member to our little family. Leo the cat! Or as CC sometimes calls him Agent L. We were passing the RSPCA one day and Hubbs decided we should go and have a mooch around, a man who has always said he wasn't a cat man was found looking at cats! On the way out we noticed a poster for a beautiful cat who needed re-homing but had been fostered as he was pining so badly in the cattery and had made himself ill. Well I'm a sucker for a sob story, and showed Hubbs, quick as a flash he was making an appointment for us to visit the cat, and two days after meeting him we were bringing Agent L home. He is half Siamese, and a very handsome black and white fella. He well and truly fooled them at the RSPCA though, they told us we'd hardly know we had him, he hardly makes a sound, doesn't like being picked up etc etc. Well he was soon making his presence felt, never shuts up and loves cuddles. We wouldn't be without him though, he has brought us lots of love and makes us smile every day. He even adopted the Christmas Tree as his own, and wouldn't allow presents to go under it and interfere with his hiding place.
February brought CC's 13th Birthday. She had asked for a Blackberry, and we got her one, she's hardly put it down since, she spends most of her time in her own little world of ipod and blackberry. We had a lovely meal on her actual birthday. with our friends, and one of CC's best friends K, who was born on the same day. We had balloons, and chocolate cake and F&B's, a fab time was had by all. Mixed in with a bit of nostalgia at the idea that I am now the mother of a teenager.......I'm told its all down hill from here.
February also brought the first of what would turn out to be two relapses this year. The Tysabri treatment is great, and I relapse much less on it, but when they do hit they hit me hard. I was talking to my Tysabri buddy about it, and she agrees, so I'm not completely barking. As usual I refused to admit defeat until I could barely stand, and was forcibly evicted from the premises at work. The steroids brought an additional gift this time, and left me with Diabetes. What can I say, I'm over it now! lol The diet police keep me on the straight and narrow, and regardless of how much I complain about it, I do love you for it Jelly! Luckily I managed to make it past the birthday before it got me, but that was pretty much the rest of February and most of March wiped out!
It was nice to have a bit of time to myself though, and in the week before I went back to work, but was starting to feel a bit more human again, I was able to catch up with a few friends. It was lovely to spend a bit of time with people I don't see often enough, thanks to work, shifts and life in general. One of the main things I will take forward from this year will be how lucky I am to have such good friends.
March brought lots of changes at work. People leaving, and the end of an era for the 'A Team'. The team with which I had worked so happily before my current job had come to the end of the line, the money came to an end on 31st March, and we all went our separate ways. One of the team had departed a while before for sunnier climbs in South Africa. A few of us had already moved on to pastures new, but we were either still in the same building or kept closely in touch, so it was a very sad day, in fact a sad week! A lot of tears were shed, and that was just by me! It was a hell of ride guys............one I will remember and smile about always. Thank you to each and every one of you for being such an amazing friends!
All in all, too many goodbyes!
C x
